Chapter 4

"Fortunately, the vows weren't finished. Legally, we are absolute strangers."

"Miss Lin is already wearing white—she's practically dressed for the occasion. Why don't you let her drink that ceremonial toast with you?"

"I, Victoria Stone, wish you two trash heaps a lifetime of misery together."

"The alliance between the Stone and Lu families is officially terminated."

"I am calling off this wedding!"

The moment the words left my lips, the entire room erupted.

"Holy shit! A hundred-billion-dollar merger, blown up just like that?"

"Tristan humiliated her publicly. There's no way Richard Stone lets this slide."

"Victoria is the golden daughter of the Stone empire. Why should she swallow this insult?"

"Still, he's the sole heir to the Lu conglomerate. He's practically the richest bachelor in town. Couldn't she just turn a blind eye to a mistress?"

Tristan stared at me in disbelief. "What did you say? You're breaking the engagement?"

"You're out of your mind! The contracts are signed! You think you can just breach them? This involves both our empires. You're being completely reckless!"

Cradled in Tristan's arms, a faint glimmer of triumph flashed in Vivian's eyes. She tugged at his sleeve, putting on a show of self-sacrifice. "Tristan, please don't fight with Miss Stone because of me. I don't need anything. Go finish the ceremony... don't ruin the merger."

Tristan held her tighter, heart aching for her. "I'm sorry you have to endure this, Vivian. I won't let you down."

He turned back to sneer at me. "You want to walk away? Does your father agree? Do the Stones really have the guts to throw away the billions riding on this deal?"

The next second, a deep, commanding voice resonated from the doorway.

"The Stones have more than enough guts!"

Memories of my past life flooded my mind—how Tristan had systematically dismantled my family's empire for Vivian's sake. Pure fury flared within me. This time, history would not repeat itself.

Standing in the doorway was my father, Richard Stone. Flanking him were my older brother, Alexander, Chloe, and our entire corporate legal team.

My father walked in, his presence suffocatingly powerful. "I've spent thirty years in the corporate world building my empire on credibility and strength. But I will never sacrifice my daughter's dignity and happiness for profit!"

"Tristan Lu, on your own wedding day, you fooled around with your secretary, disgraced yourself with an illegitimate pregnancy, and humiliated my daughter before our peers. Whoever wants this trash can have him. My daughter is far too good for your family!"

Tristan's face turned ash-gray. "You dare breach the contract? When the board demands accountability, can your family handle the penalties?"

My father let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Tomorrow morning, I will personally address the press. I will tell the entire business world that Tristan Lu lacks basic moral character."

"My daughter refused to marry into filth."

"As for the termination penalties? The Stone Group will pay every single cent without blinking!"

Alexander stepped up to my side, barking at our security detail, "What are you standing around for? Escort my sister home! Freeze all pre-funded project accounts and pull our teams immediately. We're done doing business with these clowns!"

Tears pricked my eyes as I threw my arms around my father.

In my past life, my father and brother had compromised over and over just to give me a foothold in the Lu family, only to be devoured alive by Tristan in the end.

Seeing them alive, fierce, and protective broke the dam of my emotions. "Dad... I don't want to get married. I want to go home. I miss Mom."

My father gently patted my back, his eyes soft with fierce protectiveness. Alexander scoffed behind us, "To hell with this wedding. Let's go home, Vic. We don't need this trash!"

Tristan bellowed after us, "Don't you dare! Victoria Stone, remember this: the moment you walk out that door today, don't you ever dream of stepping foot into the Lu family again!"

I paused, turning back to deliver a gaze as cold as a winter grave. "Don't flatter yourself, Mr. Lu. For the rest of my life, I wouldn't touch you or your family with a ten-foot pole."

The second we arrived back at our family estate, my mother rushed over with tears in her eyes, pulling me into a tight embrace. "My poor baby... you suffered so much today."

Because of the wedding, our extended family was gathered at the house. Cousins and relatives immediately crowded around to comfort me.

"Good riddance! A Stone daughter never lacks suitors. Tomorrow I'll introduce you to men ten times better than him!"

"Exactly! Sleeping with his secretary right before the wedding? The man is pure scum. Walking away was the best decision you ever made!"

A genuine smile broke through my tears.

In this life, my family was safe and whole. I would guard them with everything I had.